The shortlisted works across all 13 categories of the British Fantasy Awards have been announced! Find out who’s in the mix over on our blog. Winners announced at Fantasycon in October.
For all things fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction
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Announcement:
Celebrating The Return Of A British Master
The worlds of horror and dark fantasy were set ablaze this week as the news spread like wildfire: a Kickstarter campaign has launched to fund three new books by the British Master Mr Clive Barker
The Kickstarter campaign page doesn’t pull its punches in announcing his return:
“Clive Barker has stood at the forefront of dark fantasy and horror for decades, redefining genres with his imagination, poetic brutality, and mythic storytelling. From Books of Blood and The Hellbound Heart to Weaveworld and Imajica, Barker has thrilled and terrified millions across the printed page, films, canvas, and gaming.
“To celebrate this visionary talent, Clive Barker invites readers to join him on a special year-long publishing event that unfolds across three books in Library of the Dead, a new trio of anthologies and the spiritual successor to his debut Books of Blood. These hardcover books will be distributed exclusively via this Kickstarter campaign to readers on a quarterly basis throughout 2027.”
The author himself left a note for “friends” about the Kickstarter, too, telling them:
“As you know, for many years, I’ve been on a journey to bring you stories told through artwork, gaming, film, and, of course, my writing. Now, after a period of ill health, I am celebrating my full recovery and excited to be generating new work, including a project that I can now share with you here on Kickstarter.
“Library of the Dead is a series of three books containing my return to short horror fiction, a format I embraced in my original Books of Blood. Rest assured, the writing in Library of the Dead is every bit as intense and shocking as those stories.
“This is an opportunity for both new readers and people who are already familiar with my work to discover fresh narratives with a familiar intensity. I am also excited for a newly illustrated and remastered omnibus edition of Books of Blood that will be offered for the first time under my own imprint as part of this special campaign.
“When I began to create the short stories for the first volume of Library of the Dead, I knew I had found the right moment to reawaken my creative passion for unapologetic, terrifying horror fiction.
“The dead have highways after all. And I can’t wait to walk them again with you.
“I am deeply grateful for your faith, patience, and companionship over these many years. Creating this Kickstarter project is my way to show my appreciation.”
…And We Have Such Sights To Show You
And the British Fantasy Society recognises its members stand on the shoulder of giants like Mr Barker – those writers who paved the way for us to be the inclusive, accepting, diverse community of incredibly talented people that we are today. So I asked members of the British SFFH community to share their reflections and excitement that Clive is not only recovered to health, but writing and releasing new work once more. You’ll find those pieces at the links below; they are characteristically raw, honest, and unflinching, just as he’d expect.
- George Daniel Lea: The Essential Stranger
- James Bennett: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Deal
- Matthew Palmer: Reinventing the World
We’d love to hear your own reflections on the influence Clive Barker has had on you personally, or on your work and what you gravitate towards as readers and viewers. Tell us in the comments below, or share on social media, tagging us in:
- Instagram: @britishfantasysociety
- BlueSky: @britfantasysoc.bsky.social
- Facebook group
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